ATV Ban Goes Into Effect July 1 at John Martin, Granada & Queens SWAs

Habitat Protected From Further Damage


Effective July 1, 2005 dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) are prohibited at three Colorado State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) in southeast Colorado.  Among the largest and most popular is John Martin Reservoir SWA in Bent County.  The other two are Granada SWA in Prowers County and Queens SWA in Kiowa County.
 
In addition to the ATV ban, regulations require that cars, trucks, campers, motor homes and street-legal motorcycles must remain on designated roadways at John Martin and Granada. 
 
“The primary purpose of State Wildlife Areas is to set aside land for wildlife habitat and for wildlife related recreation including hunting and fishing,” said Travis Black, the area manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW). 
 
“Unfortunately, some people view these properties as places where they can race around on ATV’s blazing new trails and tearing up vegetation.  It takes years for the land to recover from the damage they cause,” said Black.
 
John Martin Reservoir is surrounded by land managed by multiple governmental agencies.  The lands located around the northeast portion of the reservoir, including the Lake Hasty Campground located below the dam, are managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Recreation. 
 
Most of the lands located on the south shore and the northwest portion of the reservoir are managed by the DOW.  The dam itself is managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
 
The ATV ban only applies to portions of the shore around John Martin Reservoir and Granada SWA that are managed by the DOW. 
 
Anyone who violates the ATV ban or drives a vehicle off developed roadways on John Martin or Granada State Wildlife Areas is subject to fines and the potential loss of hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado.

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